So I like to read to Xander, but ever since he was a newborn, I would just read whatever I was reading to him. He's 3 months and I'm currently still doing that. I know that at some point, I should read actual children's books, but I'm wondering when I need to start that. Anyone have any tips?
-
@Adira: You can start now with cloth books especially the ones that have textured pages and crinkle sounds
-
@Mrsbells: haha, okay! Guess it's time to break out the kids' books!
I used to try reading Little Lamb to him (which is a board book with a little lamb finger puppet), but he seemed to hate it, so I stopped trying. Now that he's older, maybe he'll be more interested in it!
-
Cloth and board books are a good way to start reading. Once we got the bedtime routine down, we read 2-3 books before bed to calm him down. My suggestion is just read, read, read, talk, talk, talk to your LO. It really gets talking and language going.
-
L really likes brightly colored ones. Where's Spot is her fav and she's about X's age! She watches me pop open the tabs and it will hold her attention for awhile. And also picture books w/bold colors--we have some Sassy ones that she likes to look at.
-
We noticed that S wouldn't sit for the longer children's books when he was that age (think Dr. Seuss!)...so we switched over to short board books with bright pictures and things that he could touch and feel. Loves those now!
-
Whatever. Seriously, just suit yourself at this point. The only thing that matters is the reading - the exposure to the books, the spoken language, sharing your joy in it. Pick your favorite board books and let him play with the rest.
If you're really lucky you'll raise a child who demands reading 24/7, like mine. I'm being sarcastic here, because I honestly can't stand reading aloud. But I recognize how very good it is for her.
-
It was around that age that we started reading proper baby books to her instead of whatever we happened to be reading at the time. We picked books that didn't really have plots so to speak, but had a rhythm to them, repetitive phrases, or rhyming words as I think babies really love books that flow. Personal favourites include Where is the Green Sheep?, Dr Seuss ABC book, and Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb, amongst many others. LO would happily lay there and listen to stories for up to an hour at a time until she started crawling (now she's too busy to sit still for more than two to three books at a time!); it was wonderful.
-
@sarac: haha, I really want Xander to grow up to love books like I do, though I know what you mean! I'm not a fan of reading aloud either, but I know it'll be good for him!
@cascademom: @tororojo: @2PeasinaPod: @Ree723: Thanks for the suggestions!!! Looks like it's time I pull out the children's books and start going to town!
-
@Adira: We try and read one every night, when she is in a good mood. Last week was the first time she was just staring at the book. It was so cute!
-
@Smurfette: OMG, that pic is PRECIOUS!!!! What book were you reading that she was looking at it so intently??? I definitely need to start trying to read Xander children's books now that he's a little older!
-
@Adira: I love you through and through
-
@Smurfette: It took me a second to realize you were giving me the title of the book. I was like "Awww, Smurfette, I love you too!" and then I realized what you were really telling me.
-
@Adira: haha!!
-
We started reading him children's books right away, when he was around 4 weeks, I think? He didn't start to really pay attention until about 14 weeks (or rather, notice the book) but he especially likes brightly colored board books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We read him some longer books too, more "older kid" books, because I know the plot doesn't really matter as much to him right now, though sometimes they are too long for him to sit still for.
FIL used to read DH the newspaper when he was a baby, and he loves to read now, so I'd say whatever is fine
-
@ladyfingers: Thanks!!! I think I'll start trying some children's books, but sometimes I'll probably still read my book to him (otherwise, when will I get to read it??).
-
@Adira: Exactly! Multitasking is where it's at
-
@Adira: Yeah, literacy and an appreciation for books is one of the most important things to teach. I remember, for example, seeing my friends try to memorize vocab words in college for the GRE. I would look through their flash cards, and I usually knew all the words. I'd picked them up through a lifetime of reading real books - which is the best way to learn a really rich vocabulary. I always did really well on tests like that without ever having to study, which I fully attribute to my love of reading.
-
@sarac: I completely agree!!! I think my love of reading also really helped me in school and life, so I want to instill that in my children!
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
18 comments